Treading apparatus

ABSTRACT

A treading apparatus, comprising a base frame, a rear support, an oil cylinder base, carrying communicating left and right oil cylinders, left and right treadles, an oil buffer, and a throttle valve. The left and right treadles are hingedly connected with the rear support. During use, the left and right treadles are alternately pushed down, performing a treading movement. Left and right connecting rods are attached to the left and right treadles, having far ends on which rolls are set which drive guided rods to enter the left and right oil cylinders. Left and right treading plates are mounted on the left and right treadles. The oil buffer communicates with the left and right oil cylinders, having a volume regulator which regulates volume of oil stored in the oil buffer. The throttle valve regulates flow of oil between the left and right oil cylinders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a treading apparatus, particularly to a treading apparatus for exercising which is simple and inexpensive and allows regulating of working height and speed.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] In today's industrial society, people are busy, having little time for exercising. Particularly for city dwellers, exercising devices have been designed. Treading apparatuses, being light and not taking much space, effectively simulate walking, going up stairs and climbing mountains and are therefore popular.

[0005] A conventional treading apparatus, as shown in FIG. 8, mainly comprises: a base frame 20, having a front base 21 and a rear base 22; two treadles 23 a, 23 b, having front ends that are hingedly connected with the front base 21; connecting rods 24, connected with the treadles 23 a, 23 b at the front ends thereof; oil cylinders 25, mounted between the treadles 23 a, 23 b and the front base 21, attenuating movements of the treadles 23 a, 23 b; a roll holder 26, mounted at a lower side of the rear base 22, holding a roll 27; and a cord 28, wound around the roll 27, connecting far ends of the connecting rods 24. When a user treads on the treadle 23 a, the far end of the connecting rod 24 attached thereto moves forward, pulling on the cord 28, which, deflected by the roll 27, in turn pulls rearward the connecting rod 24 attached to the treadle 23 b, so that the treadle 23 b rises. Thus the user alternately pushes down the treadles 23 a, 23 b, performing healthy exercise.

[0006] However, there is no way to regulate treading amplitude and speed in a conventional treading apparatus. Employing the roll 27 and the cord 28 results in a complicated system with high assembling cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is the main object of the present invention to provide a treading apparatus which has a simple and inexpensive structure.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a treading apparatus which allows to regulate treading amplitude.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a treading apparatus which allows to regulate treading speed.

[0010] The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the treading apparatus of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the treading apparatus of the present invention, when partly disassembled.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of the left and right guided rods, the left and right oil cylinders and the base frame of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 4-7 are schematic illustrations of oil flow between the oil cylinders of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 8 (prior art) is a side view of a conventional treading apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the treading apparatus of the present invention mainly comprises: a base frame 1; a rear support 2, mounted on a rear side of the base frame 1; an oil cylinder base 4 in front of the rear support 2, carrying communicating left and right oil cylinders 5, 6; left and right guided rods 51, 61, entering the left and right oil cylinders 5, 6, respectively; left and right treadles 7, 8, hingedly connected with the rear support 2 and performing an alternating treading movement; left and right connecting rods 71, 81, attached to the left and right treadles 7, 8, respectively, and having far ends on which rolls 72, 82 are set; left and right treading plates 73, 83, mounted on the left and right treadles 7, 8, respectively; an oil buffer 9, communicating with the left and right oil cylinders 5, 6; and a throttle valve 95. When the left and right treadles 7, 8 are tread on, the left and right rolls 72, 82 drive vertical movements of the left and right guided rods 51, 61, causing flow of oil 40 during the treading movement.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the left and right oil cylinders 5, 6 are placed below the left and right rolls 72, 82. During the treading movement, the guided rods 51, 61 are alternately pushed down, causing oil 40 alternately to flow to the right and to the left.

[0018] A main characteristic of the present invention is the oil buffer 9, which is located on a conduit between the left and right oil cylinders 5, 6. The oil buffer 9 has a volume regulator 93, which comprises a vessel (shown as the oil buffer 9) and an adjusting screw 91. The adjusting screw 91 vertically enters the vessel, reducing oil volume in the vessel by a displaced volume 92. Turning the adjusting screw 91 varies the displaced volume 92.

[0019] When, as shown in FIG. 4, the adjusting screw 91 has a lowermost position, the displaced volume 92 is maximal, and a minimum volume of oil fills the oil buffer 9. Then pushing down the left treadle 7 will raise the right treadle by a maximum amplitude.

[0020] When on the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the adjusting screw 91 has a uppermost position, the displaced volume 92 is minimal, and a maximum volume of oil fills the oil buffer 9. Then pushing down the left treadle 7 will raise the right treadle by a comparatively small amplitude.

[0021] Thus regulating the volume of oil filling the oil buffer 9 controls the amplitude of the treading movement of the left and right treadles 7, 8.

[0022] Another main characteristic of the present invention is the throttle valve 95, which is located on the conduit between the left and right oil cylinders 5, 6. A preferred embodiment thereof has a throttle screw 96 inserted in a tubelet 97. Turning the throttle screw 96 varies a cross-section of the conduit

[0023] When, as shown in FIG. 6, the throttle screw 96 has a lowermost position, the conduit has a minimal cross-section, so that oil flow between the left and right oil cylinders 5, 6 is slow, requiring great force.

[0024] When on the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the throttle screw 96 has a uppermost position, the conduit has a maximal cross-section, facilitating and speeding up oil flow between the left and right oil cylinders 5, 6.

[0025] Thus regulating the cross-section of the conduit allows controlling the speed of the treading movement.

[0026] The volume regulator 93 of the present invention allows to control the amplitude of the treading movement, while the throttle valve 95 allows to control the speed of the treading movement. Therefore, the present invention is adaptable to the needs of various users of all ages. The volume regulator 93 and the throttle valve 95 are usable separately or combined.

[0027] While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention which is defined by the appended claims. 

1. A treading apparatus, comprising: a base frame; a rear support, mounted on a rear side of said base frame; an oil cylinder base in front of said rear support, carrying communicating left and right oil cylinders; left and right guided rods, entering said left and right oil cylinders, respectively; left and right treadles, hingedly connected with said rear support; left and right connecting rods, attached to said left and right treadles, respectively, having far ends; left and right rolls, set on said far ends of said left and right connecting rods, respectively; left and right treading plates, mounted on said left and right treadles, respectively; and an oil buffer, placed between and communicating with said left and right oil cylinders, having a volume regulator which regulates volume of oil stored in said oil buffer.
 2. A treading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said volume regulator further comprises: a vessel, communicating with said left and right oil cylinders; and an adjusting screw, vertically entering said vessel.
 3. A treading apparatus, comprising: a base frame; a rear support, mounted on a rear side of said base frame; an oil cylinder base in front of said rear support, carrying communicating left and right oil cylinders; left and right guided rods, entering said left and right oil cylinders, respectively; left and right treadles, hingedly connected with said rear support; left and right connecting rods, attached to said left and right treadles, respectively, having far ends; left and right rolls, set on said far ends of said left and right connecting rods, respectively; left and right treading plates, mounted on said left and right treadles, respectively; a throttle valve, placed between and communicating with said left and right oil cylinders, regulating flow of oil between said left and right oil cylinders.
 4. A treading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said throttle valve further comprises: a tubelet, communicating with said left and right oil cylinders; and a throttle screw, entering said tubelet, thus regulating flow of oil between said left and right oil cylinders. 